Keeping the imp alive and other imp questions

Kebkin · December 10, 2004, 02:33 PM

Level 24 warlock here. So far I've only done 2 instanced dungeons: Deadmines and Blackfathom Deeps. In the Deadmines, I used the VW since we needed an offtank in the group. In BFD, we had two warlocks so I went with the imp while the other went with the VW. My imp probably got killed at least 7 times (maybe more) during the course of the dungeon. Primary cause of death was from AE spells from caster mobs.

So what techniques does everyone use to keep their imp alive? I would guess the most obvious one is to try and avoid letting it get hit with AE spells. Since it stands close to you, the way to go about that is to ensure you yourself avoid getting hit with AEs. I guess last night I was too close to the tank so thats why the imp got waxxed.

On a related note, what exactly is the main use for the imp's Phase Shift? I know that when it is active, the imp can not be damaged. However, if it is active, then the imp can't cast Firebolt or Fire Shield on the group. The only benefit you get is the Stamina buff. When the imp is close to death, I have tried to get it to cast Phase Shift but it is not allowed because the imp is still in combat. So it appears to me the only reason to use Phase Shift is if the only benefit you want from the imp is the Stamina buff. Note that I play on a PvE server if that has an impact on the answer to this question.

Final question regarding the Fire Shield. Just want to confirm what the AI routine is for this spell. The way it looks to me, if you have it set to autocast, the imp will automatically cast a fire shield on every party member in the group IF they currently do not have the buff. If you have autocast turned off, the imp will only cast the Fire Shield when you manually tell it to (by clicking on the icon). In that situation, it only casts a Fire Shield on whoever you have targetted (i.e. the main tank). Can someone confirm if I have it right or not?

Last but not least, when the Fire Shield is set to autocast and it buffs every group member, is the mana cost multiplied by however many people you have in the group or is the mana cost the same as when you manually buff only one target?

Thanks
Kebkin
Medivh

PeePeeBritches · December 10, 2004, 02:37 PM

I keep my Imp in Phase Shift in instances and just manually cast Fire Shield and take the Sta buff....

chort · December 13, 2004, 04:16 PM

Phase Shift allows you to travel around without having your Imp get attacked. This makes the Imp a great traveling companion. You have more Health incase you get jumped, and if you just want to flee you can tell your Imp to attack and then just run away while the creep is preoccupied with the Imp. Sure the Imp will die, but he doesn't cost a Soul Shard to resummon.

You are aware that you can order your pet to attack, yes? I have Phase Shift turned on constantly, but when I order my Imp to attack something he'll make sure everyone has Fire Shield before starting to cast Firebolts at the target (of course you could turn off auto-cast for Fire Shield). PS doesn't prevent him from casting spells in battle, but if you do order him to attack something, PS will drop. I guess that's what you were asking: Whether he could cast while remaining PS, and the answer is no.

December 10, 2004, 02:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kebkin Member	Keeping the imp alive and other imp questions Level 24 warlock here. So far I've only done 2 instanced dungeons: Deadmines and Blackfathom Deeps. In the Deadmines, I used the VW since we needed an offtank in the group. In BFD, we had two warlocks so I went with the imp while the other went with the VW. My imp probably got killed at least 7 times (maybe more) during the course of the dungeon. Primary cause of death was from AE spells from caster mobs. So what techniques does everyone use to keep their imp alive? I would guess the most obvious one is to try and avoid letting it get hit with AE spells. Since it stands close to you, the way to go about that is to ensure you yourself avoid getting hit with AEs. I guess last night I was too close to the tank so thats why the imp got waxxed. On a related note, what exactly is the main use for the imp's Phase Shift? I know that when it is active, the imp can not be damaged. However, if it is active, then the imp can't cast Firebolt or Fire Shield on the group. The only benefit you get is the Stamina buff. When the imp is close to death, I have tried to get it to cast Phase Shift but it is not allowed because the imp is still in combat. So it appears to me the only reason to use Phase Shift is if the only benefit you want from the imp is the Stamina buff. Note that I play on a PvE server if that has an impact on the answer to this question. Final question regarding the Fire Shield. Just want to confirm what the AI routine is for this spell. The way it looks to me, if you have it set to autocast, the imp will automatically cast a fire shield on every party member in the group IF they currently do not have the buff. If you have autocast turned off, the imp will only cast the Fire Shield when you manually tell it to (by clicking on the icon). In that situation, it only casts a Fire Shield on whoever you have targetted (i.e. the main tank). Can someone confirm if I have it right or not? Last but not least, when the Fire Shield is set to autocast and it buffs every group member, is the mana cost multiplied by however many people you have in the group or is the mana cost the same as when you manually buff only one target? Thanks Kebkin Medivh

December 10, 2004, 02:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
PeePeeBritches Member	Keeping the imp alive and other imp questions I keep my Imp in Phase Shift in instances and just manually cast Fire Shield and take the Sta buff....

December 13, 2004, 04:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
chort Registered	Keeping the imp alive and other imp questions Phase Shift allows you to travel around without having your Imp get attacked. This makes the Imp a great traveling companion. You have more Health incase you get jumped, and if you just want to flee you can tell your Imp to attack and then just run away while the creep is preoccupied with the Imp. Sure the Imp will die, but he doesn't cost a Soul Shard to resummon. You are aware that you can order your pet to attack, yes? I have Phase Shift turned on constantly, but when I order my Imp to attack something he'll make sure everyone has Fire Shield before starting to cast Firebolts at the target (of course you could turn off auto-cast for Fire Shield). PS doesn't prevent him from casting spells in battle, but if you do order him to attack something, PS will drop. I guess that's what you were asking: Whether he could cast while remaining PS, and the answer is no.